Pathway of dephosphorylation of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by phytases of legume seeds

Using a combination of high-performance ion chromatography analysis and kinetic studies, the pathway of dephosphorylation of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by the phytases purified from faba bean and lupine seeds, respectively, was established. The data demonstrate that the legume seed phytases under investigation dephosphorylate myo-inositol hexakisphosphate in a stereospecific way. The phytase from faba bean seeds and the phytase LP2 from lupine seeds degrade phytate by sequential removal of phosphate groups via D-Ins(1,2,3,5,6)P(5), D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P(4), D-Ins(1,2,6)P(3), and D-Ins(1,2)P(2) to finally Ins(2)P, whereas the phytases LP11 and LP12 from lupine seeds generate the final degradation product Ins(2)P via D-Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P(5), D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P(4), D-Ins(1,2,6)P(3), and D-Ins(1,2)P(2).

Nutritional utilization by the rat of diets based on lentil (Lens culinaris) seed meal or its fractions

The nutritional effects in the rat of raw lentil meal or its fractions have been evaluated in three feeding trials. Growth, gain/feed ratio, apparent N digestibility, and N retention were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the inclusion of whole lentil meal, dehulled lentil meal, or ethanol-extracted lentil meal as the sole source of protein in the diet. Pure lentil lectin and lectin-depleted albumin proteins had no significant negative effect on nutritional performance. In contrast, growth, gain/feed ratio, protein conversion efficiency, N digestibility, and N retention were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by diets containing lentil globulins or lentil hulls. The poor nutritional quality of raw lentil meal for rats is therefore likely to be primarily due to the combined effects of these two components.

Activities of daily living in the Spanish elderly. Association with mortality

The ability to manage basic activities of daily living (ADL) is a significant predictor for being housebound, placement in a nursing home and death. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity to perform activities of daily living in the Spanish sample (30 men and 49 women aged 80-85 y) from SENECA's Finale study (1999) and changes respect to the same sample ten years ago. The total ADL score (assessed by 16 questions) and the partials (mobility ADLm and self-care ADLc) show that the total ADL average in 1999 has been 23.9+/-10.2 (p<0.05) and 25.3+/-9.6 (p<0.001), being in 1989, 18.8+/-4.4 and 19.9+/-4.8 for men and women respectively. The ADL score from deceased subjects participating in 1989 was significantly worse (p<0.01 in men and p<0.001 in women) than ADL score from survivor subjects. Activities of daily living as a measurement of functionality decline with increasing age and in our study a better ADL score was found as survival factor.

The synaptic behaviour of the wild forms of Triticum turgidum and T. timopheevii

Different wild allopolyploid species of Triticeae show extensive bivalent formation at zygotene while a considerable number of multivalents is present in cultivated polyploid wheats. To study the chromosome behaviour at early meiotic stages in wild forms of tetraploid wheats Triticum turgidum and T timopheevii (2n = 4x = 28) we have analysed the synaptic pattern in fully traced spread nuclei at mid- and late zygotene and at pachytene of wild accessions of these species. The mean number of synaptonemal complex (SC) bivalents at mid-zygotene ranged from 12.22 to 13.14 among the accessions studied indicating a strong restriction of synapsis initiation to homologous chromosomes. The mean of bivalents increased at pachytene because of the transformation of multivalents into bivalents. Ring bivalents observed at metaphase I support that SC bivalents were formed by homologous chromosomes. The average values of SC bivalents at mid-zygotene in the wild forms are much higher than the average values observed in the cultivated tetraploid wheats but similar to that of a mutant line of T turgidum with a duplication that includes Ph1, the major homoeologous pairing suppressor locus. These results suggest that the efficiency of the mechanism operating in the homologous recognition for synapsis is higher in wild wheat populations than in cultivated varieties. Apparently, a relatively detrimental modification of the pairing regulating genetic system accompanied the domestication of the wild wheat forms.

Purification and characterization of a phytate-degrading enzyme from germinated faba beans (Vicia faba Var. Alameda)

A phytate-degrading enzyme was purified approximately 2190-fold from germinated 4-day-old faba bean seedlings to apparent homogeneity with a recovery of 6% referred to the phytase activity in the crude extract. It behaves as a monomeric protein of a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa. The phytate-degrading enzyme belongs to the acidic phytases. It exhibits a single pH optimum at 5.0. Optimal temperature for the degradation of sodium phytate is 50 degrees C. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of sodium phytate are K(M) = 148 micromol L(-1) and k(cat) = 704 s(-1) at 35 degrees C and pH 5.0. The faba bean phytase exhibits a broad affinity for various phosphorylated compounds and hydrolyzes phytate in a stepwise manner. The first hydrolysis product was identified as D/L-myo-inositol(1,2,3,4,5)pentakisphosphate.

Lens culinaris, Phaseolus vulgaris and vicia faba lectins specifically trigger IL-8 production by the human colon carcinoma cell line CACO-2

Cultured Caco-2 cells were stimulated with Lens culinaris, Phaseolus vulgarisandVicia fabalectins. The production of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 was measured by ELISA and RT-PCR. IL-8 production appeared to be specifically triggered upon stimulation with all three lectins used, since none of the other cytokines tested were produced. The IL-8 secreted may induce the extravasation of activated neutrophils and generate tissue damage. A similar mechanism may be implicated in the lesions observed after infection by some enteric pathogens, with lectin-like domains on their membrane. Finally, this model may be suitable one to study the regulation of IL-8 production.

Body perceptions and slimming attitudes reported by Spanish adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the desire to lose weight, body parts wanted to be reduced and weight-loss practices.

DESIGN

A standardized questionnaire was self-completed by the participants. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by a research assistant.

SUBJECTS

Forty males and 105 females from 12 to 18 y old randomly selected from education centers in Madrid, Spain.

RESULTS

Body dissatisfaction in 56% of the females and the 27% of the males was observed. In spite of the low prevalence of overweight (10% males and 6% females), many adolescents reported themselves to be overweight: more girls (27%) than boys (12.5%) (P < 0.05) by Q2 (6.26) were cognitively inclined to weight loss even though they were not overweight (body mass index, BMI > 25 kg/m2). Adolescents desired a slimming of the abdomen (82% males and 52% females), thighs (18% boys and 39% girls), hips (6% and 18% males and females, respectively) and buttocks (23% males and 42% females). Methods selected to lose weight were: physical activity or sport (73% boys and 68% girls), not to have snacks (66% girls and 23% boys), select foods with low energy content (42% boys and 37% girls), follow own diet (31% girls and 23% boys), follow medical advice (31% boys and 17% girls) and trying to be amused to forget foods (13% girls and 11% boys).

Effect of soaking, cooking and germination on the oligosaccharide content of selected Nigerian legume seeds

The identity and quantity of and effect of processing on raffinose oligosaccharides in raw, mature seeds of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), African yam beans (Sphenostylis sternocarpa) and jackbeans (Canavalia ensiformis) were investigated. Sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were identified by HPLC in all the legume seeds. The total alpha-galactoside contents of the seeds in decreasing order were African yam beans 3.84 mg/100 mg; white lima beans 3.62 mg/100 mg; cream pigeon peas 3.51 mg/100 mg; red lima beans 3.37 mg/100 mg; jackbeans 2.83 mg/100 mg and brown pigeon peas 2.34 mg/100 mg. The predominant oligosaccharide was verbascose in pigeon peas and stachyose in the other three legumes. Cooking unsoaked seeds brought about a greater reduction in the total alpha-galactoside content than soaking for nine hours. The removal of oligosaccharides was higher in legumes cooked in alkaline solution than in water. Germination quantitatively reduced raffinose, stachyose and verbascose while sucrose was increased in all seeds except red lima beans and jackbeans.

Differences in the synaptic pattern in two autotetraploid cultivars of rye with different quadrivalent frequencies at metaphase I

Synaptic behaviour of the two tetraploids rye cultivars Gigantón (G) and Tetrapico (T) displaying significant differences in their quadrivalent frequencies at metaphase I was analyzed by electron microscopy in surface-spread prophase I nuclei. A different behaviour was observed between the two cultivars; the synaptonemal complex (SC) quadrivalents frequency being significantly higher in G than in T at prophase I. Moreover, the G SC quadrivalents had more synaptic partner exchanges (SPEs) and their location was more distal than the T SC quadrivalents. However, inverse findings were found at metaphase I, the quadrivalent frequency was higher in T than in G. The role that different factors, mainly the number and location of the SPEs and the frequency and distribution of chiasmata, could play in the evolution from prophase I to metaphase I in both cultivars is discussed.Key words: autotetraploid rye, synaptonemal complex, spreading.

Anti-nutritional constituents of six underutilized legumes grown in Nigeria

Six underutilized legume seeds grown in Nigeria namely, red and white lima beans, brown and cream pigeon pea, African yam bean and jackbean were analysed for different anti-nutritional factors Sojasapogenol B was identified as the predominant sapogenol in lima beans and jackbeans by capillary gas chromatography. The content of total inositol phosphates and individual inositol phosphates (IP6, IP5, IP4 and IP3) were analysed by ion-pair HPLC, being in the range of other legumes. Trace quantities of lupanine were identified as the alkaloid in jackbean. alpha-Galactosides were present in all the legume seeds, stachyose being the predominant galactoside in lima beans, African yam bean and jackbean, and verbascose in pigeon pea. The haemagglutinating activity was estimated as a measure of the lectin content of the samples. African yam bean was found to have the highest heamagglutinating activity. Tannins were found to be in low quantities. The presence of these anti-nutrients in relation to the nutritional value of the legume is discussed.

[Current model of breakfast for different age groups: children, a adolescents and adults]

The objective of the present work is to assess the current breakfast model in different age groups: children between the ages of 6 and 12 years (n = 54); adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years (n = 174); and adults, older than 18 years of age (n = 252). For this a questionnaire has been designed that follows the standards of that used for a similar study by our team in 1984 on a sample of 1350 individuals. The modified and amplified questionnaire included open and closed questions about: the omission of breakfast and its causes, foods that are a part of breakfast, the most frequent types and the variations, the role of the second breakfast, the number of fasting hours since dinner, the time spent of breakfast, and the subjective opinion regarding the importance or not of having breakfast. 98.95% answer yes to the question do you have breakfast, but only 9% eats a nutritionally correct breakfast, one defined as that breakfast that supplies 20% of the total energy and includes foods from at least four different groups. All the children included some form of milk product in their breakfast. The adolescents consumed the lowest proportion of cereals (19.4%) and the highest proportion of pastries (24.2%). The percentage of adults who drink coffee with milk (57%) and sugar (37.7%) is significantly higher than that it the other two groups. Bread (37.7%), pastries (28.3%) and cookies (26.1%) are the solid foods eaten most by the adults. The children spend the longest time on breakfast. 35.9% of the sample varies their breakfast, 43.1% never does, and 21% does so sometimes. The average time elapsed between dinner and breakfast is 10.5 +/- 1.2 hours. It is advisable to have a more nutritionally balanced breakfast, including different foods from at least four groups, and including a greater variety in the menus.

[Spanish contribution to the creation of a European analytical database of trans-fatty acids]

Within the AAIR Program of the EU titled Evaluation of the Ingestion of Trans Fatty Acids (FA) and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in European countries (TRANSFAIR), which is being carried out in 16 countries with different alimentary habits, among which is our country, we have developed the following study. Based on the information derived from the last National Nutrition and Feeding Study (ENNA-3), we have made up a list of foods which make up 95% of the total ingestion of lipids, and it also includes those which although they are not included within this percentage, may have an especially high trans isomer content as a result of their processing. The foods selected for the analysis belong to different food groups: cereals, milk products, oils and fats, meats, various, and pre-cooked foods, until making up a total of 100 foods for each country. The central analysis laboratory is that of the Department of Human Nutrition, TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist (The Netherlands). In each sample, in addition to the total lipids, one determines the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including the cis and trans isomers. The trans FA's measured were: C14:1 T9, C16:1 T9, C18:1 T, C18:2 T, C18:3 T + C20:1 T, C20:2 T11,14, and C22:1 T13. Of the samples analyzed, the highest percentages of trans FA with respect to the total FA corresponded to the following foods: French fries, pre-cooked and frozen croquettes sliced bread, margarine, cakes, and frozen mille feuilles dough of different industrial brands. The lowest percentages of trans FA's were found in refined vegetable oils (sunflower and olive), those used for deep frying, and those discarded in catering, as well as in some commercial brands of cookies and ice creams. Pure chocolate, different brands of sweetened powdered cocoa, and ready to make chocolate, did not contain and trans FA.

Synaptic behaviour of the tetraploid wheat Triticum timopheevii

Triticum timopheevii (2n=4x=A(t)A(t)GG) is an allotetraploid wheat which shows a diploid-like behaviour at metaphase-I. The synaptic process was analyzed in fully traced spread nuclei at mid-zygotene, late-zygotene and pachytene. The length and type of synaptonemal complexes, as well as the number of bivalent and multivalent associations, were determined in each nucleus. A high number of bivalents per nucleus was detected at all three stages. Nuclei at pachytene showed a lower frequency of multivalents than did zygotene nuclei, which suggests the existence of a pairing correction mechanism. At metaphase-I only homologous bivalents and, rarely, one pair of univalents were observed. Similarities between the diploidization mechanism of T. timopheevii and that of allohexaploid wheat, controlled by chromosome 5B, are discussed.

Effect of natural fermentation on the content of inositol phosphates in lentils

The effects of natural fermentation upon phytic acid and less phosphorylated inositol phosphates of Lens culinaris var vulgaris cultivar Magda-20 were investigated. Seven fermentation runs were made following a 2(2) complete factorial design with three replicated centre points to study the effect of different conditions of temperature (28, 35 and 42 degrees C) and broth concentration (79, 150 and 221 g/l). Samples were taken for each of them at daily intervals (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The pH value declined sharply in the first 24 h of fermentation, becoming stabilized from this time. The relation between lactic acid and titratable acidity presented important differences between the different fermentations, ranging from 30-80%. Phytic acid (IP6), inositol pentakis (IP5), tetrakis (IP4) and tris-(IP3) phosphates were quantitatively determined. The content of total inositol phosphates showed a maximum reduction of 63% at 72 h under the fermentation conditions of 42 degrees C and 79 g/l.

[Antigenic retrieval using a pressure cooker]

This technical note describes antigen retrieval procedures using a pressure cooker. These procedures are perfectly adapted to routine immunohistochemistry and improve the overall quality of immunostaining.

Synaptic abnormalities in spread nuclei of Secale. II. Secale vavilovii

Secale vavilovii PMCs have more univalents and a lower frequency of bound arms at metaphase I than other diploid Secale species. The spreading technique applied at prophase I showed that the nuclei were able to complete synapsis at pachytene. However, 25% of the nuclei analyzed, which had more than 90% of their total length paired, showed two abnormalities: long fold-back loops, which were located mainly on the nucleolar organizer bivalent, and pairing-partner switches, probably involving all the chromosome complement. These synaptic abnormalities are unusual in diploid species and give rise to a high frequency of nonhomologous pairing regions and, therefore, could produce desynapsis, which could explain the data obtained from metaphase I. The possible origin of the unusual synaptic abnormalities of S. vavilovii is discussed.Key words: S. vavilovii, synaptonemal complex, spreading, synaptic abnormalities.

Synaptic abnormalities in spread nuclei of Secale. I. Inbred lines

The meiotic behaviour at metaphase I of two inbred lines of Secale cereale showed a decrease in the frequency of bound arms and the presence of univalents. The study of synaptonemal complex formation revealed that these inbred lines had asynapsis and many nuclei did not complete the pairing process. Synaptic abnormalities such as fold-back loops, short pairing partner switches, interstitial nonhomologous pairing regions, and asynchrony between bivalents were associated and correlated with interlocking. It is suggested that the asynapsis is due to a failure in the interlocking repair. All these abnormalities could affect the formation and maintenance of chiasmata and so could explain the metaphase I behaviour of these inbred lines and the differences between them.

Variation of favism-inducing factors (vicine, convicine and L-DOPA) during pod development in Vicia faba L

Changes in the concentrations of vicine, convicine and L-DOPA in two cultivars of Vicia faba L. seeds in different stages of pod development were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The vicine and convicine content was highest in fresh green cotyledons (moisture content about 80%) and gradually declined until a constant level was reached when seed dry matter percentage was around 40%. A similar pattern of variation in glucoside concentration was observed for the seed coat. The pods contained neither vicine nor convicine but they were particularly rich in L-DOPA. These compounds were not homogeneously distributed in the seeds.

Lead, cadmium and mercury contents in average Spanish market basket diets from Galicia, Valencia, Andalucía and Madrid

This study was undertaken in order to monitor the intake of lead, cadmium and mercury in different geographical areas of Spain. The intakes of four populations were estimated from their habitual diets and compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) or the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) to estimate the health risk of toxicity. Representative market basket diets from four areas, Galicia, Valencia, Andalucía and Madrid, were collected and their contents of cadmium, lead and mercury determined. The number of different foodstuffs used in each area (64, 67, 71 and 73) was based on the number of foods providing 95% of the total energy intake. Data on the contribution of food groups to the total daily intake of heavy metals were also obtained. The daily amounts of lead in the diets were between 37 and 521 micrograms/day, the Madrid population having the highest average intake of this metal and exceeding the PTWI, because of the vegetables and cereals consumed. The average total dietary cadmium intakes--provided mainly by fish including crustacea and molluscs--were about 25-45% of the PTWI. The intake of mercury, which is mainly provided by the fish group (66-90%), was about 9-17% of the PTWI.

Theoretical study of the intake of trace elements (nutrients and contaminants) via total diet in some geographical areas of Spain

The aim of this study was to monitor exposure to heavy metal contaminants from habitual diets and to estimate the health risk for the consumer by comparing the analyzed content with the acceptable daily intake (ADI). This study is based on the household consumption as assessed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and our department. The number of food groups (237) consumed by the population (national and the 17 Autonomy Communities) is considered. A list of the metal content of foods in included. The data were collected from reports issued by the Ministry of Health, other official organizations, and from specialized literature. The results show that the intakes of arsenic (0.019 mg/person/d), mercury (0.004 mg/person/d), and lead (0.082 mg/person/d) do not reach the ADI, but that of cadmium exceeds the ADI in some geographical areas. The intake of zinc and chromium does not exceed the dietetic recommendations.

Meiotic pairing control in wheat–rye hybrids. I. Effect of different wheat chromosome arms of homoeologous groups 3 and 5

Wheat–rye hybrids were analyzed to study how the homoeologous-pairing control of wheat is altered when specific regulators of groups 3 and 5 are lacking or mutated. Lack of the 3DS chromosome arm and the ph2b mutation showed the most significant effect, due to a deficiency or inactivity of the Ph2 suppressor. The 3DL, 5AS, and 5BS chromosome arms have a promoting effect, 5BS being the most effective. A weak suppressive effect of 3AS and 3AL is proposed, and a promotive effect of 5DS was not ruled out. The suppressive effect of 3BS is discussed.Key words: Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, homoeologous chromosomes, genetic pairing regulation.

Meiotic pairing control in wheat–rye hybrids. II. Effect of rye genome and rye B-chromosomes and interaction with the wheat genetic system

Several hybrid combinations between rye and wheat ditelosomic for homoeologous group 3 or 5 chromosomes or mutant ph2b were used to analyze the effects of the rye genome and rye B-chromosomes on meiotic pairing. The results indicated that the rye Bs have an effect on bound-arm frequency, which varies with the wheat genotype. If wheat suppressors are absent, pairing decreases when Bs are added; whereas if wheat promoters are lacking, a pairing increase is observed in some hybrids with two rye Bs. There was thus an interaction between the genetic systems of the two parents, with the wheat parent being the main determinant of the pairing level in the hybrids. The rye genome tends to decrease pairing in the absence of wheat suppressors and increase it when wheat promoters are lacking, and the rye Bs tend to reinforce this primary rye action.Key words: Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, homoeologous pairing, B-chromosomes, promoter–suppressor interaction.

Distribution of oncofetal fibronectin in human mammary tumors: immunofluorescence study on histological sections

Two types of human fibronectin have been detected by the reactivity of specific monoclonal antibody FDC-6: (a) those present in normal plasma and adult tissues, which do not react with FDC-6 (normal fibronectin or norFN); and (b) those present in fetal tissues and in tumoral cell lines, which do react with FDC-6 (oncofetal fibronectin or onfFN) (H. Matsuura and S. I. Hakomori, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82: 6517-6521, 1985). We compared the distribution of norFN and onfFN in normal breast tissue (15 samples), breast fibroadenoma (ten samples), and breast adenocarcinoma (80 samples), using an immunofluorescence technique with monoclonal antibody FDC-6. A polyclonal antiserum against human normal fibronectin was used as a control. While norFN was diffusely present in normal gland and in benign and malignant tumors, onfFN was absent in normal gland and in benign tumors. In carcinomas, however, its presence was frequent, as we found it in 60% of cases. Among classical prognosis factors in breast carcinomas, onfFN distribution was significantly correlated with histological grade. Indeed, the presence of FDC-6 labeling was significantly linked with intermediary and high malignancy grades, while its absence was significantly linked with low malignancy grade. onfFN could be considered a marker of the neoplastic state; its immunohistological detection may represent a new prognosis factor in breast carcinomas.

Comparative distribution of fibronectin and vitronectin in human breast and colon carcinomas. An immunofluorescence study

Distribution of two extracellular matrix components, vitronectin and fibronectin, was studied by immunofluorescence in 40 breast infiltrating duct carcinomas and in 15 colonic adenocarcinomas. Blood vessels, especially in peritumoral colonic submucosa, gave markedly different images after staining by antivitronectin antibody and antifibronectin serum. The former exclusively decorated the elastic laminae, whereas the latter gave a reaction much closer to the endothelium, probably localized at the basement membrane of the endothelium. Strong labeling of colonic and mammary stroma carcinomas by polyclonal antiserum against fibronectin was observed, whereas monoclonal antibody against vitronectin gave much more restricted labeling in the stroma of these tumors. In the stroma of colonic carcinomas, vitronectin was often situated in areas in which elastic fibers were visualized by orcein counterstaining. In breast stroma carcinomas it was always localized only in elastosis areas. Thus, it is likely that antivitronectin binds with glycoprotein(s) associated with elastic fibers. However, vitronectin staining also was seen in areas in which no elastic fibers were characterized by the orcein method.

An azoospermic male with a Y/autosome translocation

This report describes an azoospermic male carrying a Y/autosome translocation. The patient had a 46,X,t(Y;10)(q12;p13) chromosome complement in a lymphocyte culture. The cytogenetic study of this patient is described, together with testicular histology, spermiogram, hormone levels, and clinical history.